Description
Light, fluffy, and bursting with citrus zest, this Italian-inspired chiffon cake is the perfect ending to any meal. Its surprisingly easy to make and even easier to devour!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups (416 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups (296 ml) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) vegetable oil
- 3/4 cups (177 ml) milk
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1/2 orange
- 1 tsp Fiori di Sicilia essence
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 egg yolks
- 6 egg whites
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Instructions
Cake Batter Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an ungreased tube pan or angel food cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and ½ cup sugar.
- In a separate bowl, stir together egg yolks, milk, vegetable oil, lemon zest, orange zest, Fiori di Sicilia (if using), and vanilla extract until well combined.
Meringue Preparation
- In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar, then gradually add ¾ cup sugar, whipping until stiff peaks form and the mixture resembles thick meringue (about 7-8 minutes).
Combining and Baking
- Carefully fold the meringue into the cake batter with a spatula.
- Pour batter into the ungreased pan and bake for 55-60 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Immediately invert the pan to cool completely. Use a knife to loosen the cake before unmolding.
Notes
- For a more intense citrus flavor, use the juice of the lemon and orange in addition to the zest.
- If Fiori di Sicilia is unavailable, substitute with 1 teaspoon of orange blossom water or almond extract.
- To prevent the cake from collapsing, ensure it cools completely upside down in the pan before unmolding.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 80